A 62-year-old California woman has been charged with five felonies after authorities say she registered her dog to vote and cast two mail-in ballots in the animal's name during recent statewide contests.
Laura Lee Yourex of Costa Mesa faces counts that include perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote and registering a non-existent person to vote, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said. Prosecutors said two mail-in ballots were submitted under the dog’s name, Maya Jean Yourex, during the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary.
The DA’s office said the recall election ballot was counted while the 2022 primary ballot was rejected. Officials said the matter came to light after Yourex reported herself to the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October, prompting the registrar to refer the case to prosecutors. An investigation by the registrar and the DA’s office reportedly uncovered social media posts in which Yourex discussed her dog’s voting activity.
The charges were filed after the investigation concluded, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors declined to comment further on evidentiary details pending court proceedings. Court records show charges were submitted in Orange County; booking and arraignment dates were not immediately available.
California election rules require that registrants be eligible voters and prohibit registering fictitious persons or nonhuman entities. Mail-in ballots must be cast by the registered voter or in compliance with state procedures for authorized assistance, and knowingly submitting a ballot under another person’s or a non-existent person’s name can result in criminal charges.
The case follows a handful of widely reported incidents nationally in which ineligible registrations or votes have been alleged, often prompting public discussion about election integrity and the mechanics of mail voting. Officials in Orange County and elsewhere have said voter roll maintenance, signature verification and other safeguards are intended to detect and prevent improper registrations and ballots from being counted.
The District Attorney’s Office has not released information about possible penalties the defendant could face if convicted. The case remains under prosecution, and further steps in the criminal process, including any arraignment, pretrial proceedings or trial dates, will be handled through the Orange County court system.
